Air purification device

Abstract

To provide an air cleaner capable of preventing a situation that bacteria or the like in air affect an adsorbent or the like, and eliminating the necessity of ventilation with outside air or reducing the ventilation with the outside air.SOLUTION: The air purifier 10 includes the adsorbing portion 31 having an adsorbent that adsorbs carbon dioxide, the pressurizing portion 21 that sends air to the adsorbing portion 31, the discharging portion 41 that discharges air from which carbon dioxide has been removed by the adsorbing portion 31 to the outside, the depressurizing portion 51 that depressurizes the adsorbing portion 31 to desorb carbon dioxide from the adsorbent, and the ultraviolet irradiation portion 61 that irradiates the air with ultraviolet light upstream of the adsorbent.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to air purification devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, when the carbon dioxide concentration (CO2 concentration) indoors exceeds a certain value, it can have an effect on the human body, causing drowsiness and other health problems, so ventilation is desirable. Particularly in situations where there is a large temperature difference between indoors and outdoors, such as in summer or winter, a lot of energy is required to exchange the entire indoor air with outside air. Known methods for pre-purifying air for industrial ventilation include the PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) method and the PVSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) method. Air purification devices using these types of technology have been disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-68833 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The device described in Patent Document 1 uses zeolite as a carbon dioxide adsorbent. Some adsorbents, such as hydrophilic zeolites, preferentially adsorb moisture in the air, raising concerns that moisture may reduce the carbon dioxide adsorption performance. Furthermore, moisture may cause bacteria in the air to grow on the adsorbent. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide an air purification device that prevents situations in which bacteria in the air affect adsorbents, etc., and that does not require ventilation with outside air or that can reduce the need for ventilation with outside air. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, an air purification device is provided that includes an adsorption section having an adsorbent material that adsorbs carbon dioxide, a pressurizing section that sends air to the adsorption section, a discharge section that discharges the air from which carbon dioxide has been removed in the adsorption section to the outside, a decompression section that decompresses the adsorption section to desorb carbon dioxide from the adsorbent material, and an ultraviolet irradiation section that irradiates the air with ultraviolet light upstream of the adsorbent material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an air purification device that prevents bacteria in the air from affecting adsorbents, etc., and does not require ventilation with outside air, or can reduce the need for ventilation with outside air. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of how the air purifying device is used. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air purification device. [Figure 3] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the air purification device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the continuation of the operation of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the continuation of the operation of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 shows the results of a conventional PSA test. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 shows the results of a reverted PSA test. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1. Usage of the air purifier 10 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a usage mode of an air purification device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air purifying device 10 is a local air supply device that can individually supply air from which a specific component (carbon dioxide (CO2) in this embodiment) has been removed to an occupant U (hereinafter referred to as user U) in a space SP separated by a private room or partition, etc. The air purifying device 10 can also be called a local air purifying device, a local air supply system, or a local air purifying system.

[0009] To create a low-concentration carbon dioxide environment in the entire space where the user U is staying, an extremely large air purifying device would be required in proportion to the required flow rate. In contrast, the air purifying device 10 of this embodiment can be made into a compact device by being capable of creating a low-concentration carbon dioxide environment in a local space SP1 limited to the periphery of the user U. The local space SP1 can be, for example, 10.0 cm 3 ~1.0m 3 It is a space. However, the present invention is not limited to air purifying devices for the local space SP1, but is also applicable to air purifying devices capable of creating an appropriate carbon dioxide environment in a space larger than the local space SP1.

[0010] As shown in Fig. 1, the air purifying device 10 is placed in the same space SP as the user U, draws in ambient air consisting of raw material gas as inhaled air G1, and discharges supply air G2, which has carbon dioxide removed from the inhaled air G1, toward the local space SP1 around the user U. The supply air G2 then diffuses into the atmosphere. The air purifying device 10 also releases desorbed gas G3 containing the removed carbon dioxide into the atmosphere (outside the space SP). FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the air purifying device 10 is configured to be installed on the floor, but this is not limiting, and the air purifying device 10 may be installed in an appropriate location such as a wall or ceiling.

[0011] 2. Configuration of Air Purifier 10 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the air purification device 10. As shown in FIG. The air purification device 10 is based on the principles of the PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) method and employs the PVSA (Vacuum Pressure Swing Adsorption) method, which further utilizes a vacuum to efficiently desorb a specific component (carbon dioxide in this embodiment) from an adsorbent. 2, the air purifying device 10 includes a pressurizing unit 21 that draws in ambient air as intake air G1, an adsorption unit 31 that adsorbs carbon dioxide in the intake air G1, a discharge unit 41 that discharges the air G1a from which carbon dioxide has been adsorbed by the adsorption unit 31 into the local space SP1 as supply air G2, and a decompression unit 51 that decompresses the adsorption unit 31 to desorb the adsorbed carbon dioxide. The air purifying device 10 also includes an ultraviolet irradiating unit 61 that irradiates ultraviolet light onto the intake air G1 upstream of the adsorption unit 31.

[0012] The pressurizing unit 21 has a pressurizing pump PP, which sucks air from the space SP and sends the intake air G1 to the adsorption unit 31. The pressurizing unit 21 has a filter FT upstream of the pressurizing pump PP, which removes dust and other particles contained in the intake air G1. A wide range of known filters for purifying air can be used as the filter FT.

[0013] The adsorption section 31 includes a plurality of (two in this embodiment) adsorption vessels AT1 and AT2 that accommodate adsorbents. These adsorption vessels AT1 and AT2 can be connected in parallel to the pressurization section 21 and the depressurization section 51, respectively, via pipes. The adsorbents in the adsorption vessels AT1 and AT2 are carbon dioxide adsorbents and contain zeolite. Zeolite is a compound composed of the elements silicon (Si), oxygen (O), aluminum (Al), and cations (M), and its unique crystal structure and pore size enable it to selectively adsorb and remove carbon dioxide. Note that the adsorbent also adsorbs trace amounts of components other than carbon dioxide, but a description of these components that are detected in trace amounts will be omitted.

[0014] Synthetic zeolites (molecular sieves (X-type, A-type, etc.)) with a Si / Al ratio of less than 2 are hydrophilic and preferentially adsorb moisture (water vapor) in the air over carbon dioxide (competitive adsorption). Therefore, competitive adsorption can cause a decrease in humidity in the supply gas. On the other hand, synthetic zeolites with a Si / Al ratio of 3 or more (high-silica zeolites (Y-type, ZSM-5, etc.)) are called high-silica zeolites, and those with a Si / Al ratio of 5 or more (Y-type, ZSM-5, etc.) are hydrophobic. In this embodiment, by using a hydrophobic zeolite, as will be explained later, it is possible to obtain an adsorption section 31 that can adequately adsorb carbon dioxide even in a high-humidity environment compared to when a hydrophilic zeolite is used, and concerns about a decrease in humidity can also be eliminated.

[0015] In Figure 2, symbols F1 to F3 are flow sensors that detect the flow rate in the air passages of each part of the air purifying device 10, symbols SV1 to SV8 are solenoid valves that open and close the air passages of each part of the air purifying device 10, symbols PS1 to PS3 are pressure sensors that detect the pressure in the air passages of each part of the air purifying device 10, and symbols CV1 and CV2 are check valves.

[0016] The discharge unit 41 has a buffer tank BT, a pressure controller PC, a flow rate controller FC, a CO2 sensor CS, and a temperature and humidity sensor THS. The buffer tank BT temporarily stores the air G1a from the adsorption unit 31, thereby reducing pressure fluctuations in the air inside the air purifier 10. The buffer tank BT is also used as a component that forms an air passage for drawing in the carbon dioxide adsorbed by the adsorbent inside the adsorption vessels AT1 and AT2.

[0017] The pressure controller PC controls the pressure of the supply air G2, and the flow rate controller FC controls the flow rate of the supply air G2. The CO2 sensor CS detects the amount of carbon dioxide in the supply air G2, and the temperature and humidity sensor THS detects the temperature and humidity of the supply air G2. The detected values ​​of the CO2 sensor CS, the temperature and humidity sensor THS, and the pressure sensors PS1 to PS3 are output to a controller 71. The controller 71 controls the pressurizing pump PP, the solenoid valves SV1 to SV8, the pressure reducing unit 51, and the like, based on any of the detected values ​​or user instructions. The pressure reducing section 51 has a vacuum pump VP, and the vacuum pump VP sucks carbon dioxide adsorbed by the adsorbent in the adsorption vessels AT1 and AT2, and discharges it to the outside as desorbed gas G3.

[0018] [3. Ultraviolet irradiation unit 61] The ultraviolet light irradiation unit 61 irradiates the intake air G1 with ultraviolet light at least either upstream or downstream of the pressurizing pump PP. The light source of the ultraviolet light is not particularly limited, but for example, using an electron beam excited solid-state light emitting element (UV-LED) is advantageous for miniaturizing the air purifier 10.

[0019] The ultraviolet irradiation unit 61 preferably irradiates ultraviolet rays including deep ultraviolet rays, which are suitable for disinfection, sterilization, and sterilization. For example, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 61 preferably irradiates light including a wavelength of 265 nm or light including a wavelength in the range of 250 nm to 280 nm. By irradiating the intake air G1 with ultraviolet rays such as deep ultraviolet rays, it is possible to prevent bacteria and the like contained in the intake air G1 from adhering to an adsorbent and multiplying due to the influence of moisture, which can lead to the growth of mold.

[0020] This configuration employs an in-cylinder direct irradiation method in which ultraviolet light is directly irradiated onto the air path through which intake air G1 passes in pressurizing unit 21. As shown in Fig. 1, at least a portion of the air path of pressurizing unit 21 is formed of a glass tube 21g that transmits ultraviolet light, and ultraviolet light is irradiated onto this glass tube 21g.

[0021] For example, the flow rate of air sent by the pressurizing unit 21 is set to 8.0 L / min, the glass tube 21g is formed to have a tube diameter within a range of 10 mm to 80 mm, and the integrated light amount of ultraviolet light irradiated onto the intake air G1 is 10.0 mJ / cm 2 This configuration is simple and advantageous for size reduction, yet can sufficiently kill and sterilize bacteria and the like in the intake air G1, and can prevent situations in which the performance of the adsorbent or the like deteriorates due to the influence of bacteria or mold is discharged to the outside of the air purifying device 10.

[0022] At least a portion of the air passage of pressurizing unit 21 may be made of glass (e.g., quartz glass), and ultraviolet light may be irradiated onto the glass area. Alternatively, other materials that transmit ultraviolet light may be used instead of glass. The flow rate of air sent by pressurizing unit 21 may be changed as appropriate depending on the installation environment of air purifying device 10.

[0023] 4. Operation of Air Purifier 10 The operation of the air purification device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. The air purification device 10 achieves the adsorption, desorption (vacuum desorption), purging, and pressure equalization states of the PSA method (PVSA method) under the control of the controller 71. Hereinafter, when the multiple adsorption vessels AT1 and AT2 are described while being particularly distinguished, one adsorption vessel AT1 will be referred to as the "first adsorption vessel AT1" and the other adsorption vessel AT2 will be referred to as the "second adsorption vessel AT2."

[0024] 3, in step S1, the controller 71 controls the solenoid valves SV1, SV3, SV5 to SV7 to connect the pressurizing unit 21 and the exhaust unit 41 to the first adsorption vessel AT1, thereby causing the pressurizing pump PP to send intake air G1 made up of ambient air to the first adsorption vessel AT1 and causing adsorption under pressure in the first adsorption vessel AT1. The air G1 from which carbon dioxide has been adsorbed in the first adsorption vessel AT1 is supplied to the exhaust unit 41, which includes a buffer tank BT, and supply air G2, the flow rate and pressure of which have been adjusted, is discharged toward the local space SP1 around the user U (this corresponds to adsorption control using the first adsorption vessel AT1, or the adsorption process). The air path for performing adsorption control shown in FIG. 3 is an example of an "adsorption path for discharging the air from which carbon dioxide has been removed in the first adsorption vessel AT1 to the outside."

[0025] In step S1, during the adsorption control using the first adsorption vessel AT1, the controller 71 controls the solenoid valves SV2, SV4, and SV8 to connect the pressure reducing unit 51 to the second adsorption vessel AT2, thereby desorbing (vacuum desorbing) the carbon dioxide adsorbed in the second adsorption vessel AT2 with the vacuum pump VP. In other words, the adsorbent of the second adsorption vessel AT2 is regenerated (corresponding to desorption control (vacuum desorption control) of the second adsorption vessel AT2, or the desorption step). The air path for performing desorption control shown in FIG. 3 is an example of a "desorption path for desorbing carbon dioxide adsorbed in the second adsorption vessel AT2."

[0026] In the next step S2, the controller 71 continues adsorption control using the first adsorption vessel AT1, while controlling the solenoid valves SV2, SV4, and SV8 to connect the buffer tank BT and the pressure reduction section 51 to the second adsorption vessel AT2, thereby sending the air G1a in the buffer tank BT to the second adsorption vessel AT2 after the desorption process of the second adsorption vessel AT2 and promoting the regeneration of the adsorbent material of the second adsorption vessel AT2 (corresponding to purge control or the purge process of the second adsorption vessel AT2). The air path for performing purge control shown in FIG. 3 is an example of a "purge path for desorbing carbon dioxide adsorbed in the second adsorption vessel AT2."

[0027] As shown in Fig. 4, in the next step S3, the controller 71 controls the solenoid valves SV1 to SV8 to connect the multiple adsorption vessels AT1 and AT2 to each other, thereby communicating the first adsorption vessel AT1, which has performed adsorption, with the second adsorption vessel AT2, which has performed desorption, and equalizing the pressures between the multiple adsorption vessels AT1 and AT2 (this corresponds to pressure equalization control or a pressure equalization step). This pressure equalization control can improve the recovery rate and the purity of the supply air G2. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the solenoid valves SV1 and SV2 are opened, and the solenoid valves SV3 to SV8 are closed. The air path for performing pressure equalization control shown in FIG. 4 is an example of a "pressure equalization path for equalizing the pressures of a plurality of adsorption vessels AT1 and AT2."

[0028] In the next step S4, the controller 71 controls the solenoid valves SV1, SV3, SV5, and SV7 to connect the pressure reducing unit 51 to the first adsorption vessel AT1, thereby desorbing (vacuum desorbing) the carbon dioxide adsorbed in the first adsorption vessel AT1 using the vacuum pump VP. In other words, the adsorbent of the first adsorption vessel AT1 is regenerated (corresponding to desorption control (vacuum desorption control) of the first adsorption vessel AT1, or a desorption step). The air path for performing desorption control (vacuum desorption control) shown in FIG. 4 is an example of a "desorption path for desorbing carbon dioxide adsorbed in the first adsorption vessel AT1."

[0029] During desorption control of the first adsorption vessel AT1, the controller 71 controls the solenoid valves SV2, SV4, SV6, and SV8 to connect the pressurizing unit 21 and the exhaust unit 41 to the second adsorption vessel AT2, thereby causing the pressurizing pump PP to send intake air G1 composed of ambient air to the second adsorption vessel AT2 and causing adsorption under pressure in the second adsorption vessel AT2. The air G1 from which carbon dioxide has been adsorbed in the second adsorption vessel AT2 is supplied to the exhaust unit 41, which includes the buffer tank BT, and supply air G2, with its flow rate and pressure adjusted, is discharged toward the local space SP1 around the user U (this corresponds to adsorption control using the second adsorption vessel AT2, or the adsorption process). The air path for performing adsorption control shown in FIG. 4 is an example of an "adsorption path for discharging the air from which carbon dioxide has been removed in the second adsorption vessel AT2 to the outside."

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5, in the next step S5, while continuing adsorption control using the second adsorption vessel AT2, the controller 71 controls the solenoid valves SV1, SV3, SV5, and SV7 to connect the buffer tank BT and the pressure reducing section 51 to the first adsorption vessel AT1, thereby sending air G1a from the buffer tank BT to the first adsorption vessel AT1 after the desorption process of the first adsorption vessel AT1 and promoting the regeneration of the adsorbent material of the first adsorption vessel AT1 (corresponding to purge control or the purge process of the first adsorption vessel AT1). The air path for performing purge control shown in FIG. 5 is an example of a "purge path for desorbing carbon dioxide adsorbed in the first adsorption vessel AT1."

[0031] In the next step S6, the controller 71 controls the solenoid valves SV1 to SV8 to connect the multiple adsorption vessels AT1, AT2 to each other, thereby communicating the first adsorption vessel AT1, which has performed desorption, with the second adsorption vessel AT2, which has performed adsorption, and equalizing the pressures between the multiple adsorption vessels AT1, AT2 (this corresponds to pressure equalization control or a pressure equalization step). This pressure equalization control can increase the recovery rate and the purity of the supply air G2. The air path for performing purge control shown in FIG. 5 is an example of a "purge path for desorbing carbon dioxide adsorbed in the second adsorption vessel AT2."

[0032] In this way, by alternately performing adsorption and desorption (regeneration) for each of the adsorption vessels AT1 and AT2, supply air G2 with a low concentration of carbon dioxide can be continuously generated, and a supply amount can be easily obtained that allows the carbon dioxide concentration around the user U to be adjusted within an appropriate range for the breathing rate (e.g., 6.5 L / min) per user U, who is the source of carbon dioxide. This makes it possible, for example, to individually supply clean air to each user U, including air from which carbon dioxide has been removed.

[0033] Next, examples of the present invention will be described together with comparative examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples. Fig. 6 shows the results of a typical PSA test. The upper part of Fig. 6 shows the test results of a comparative example in which hydrophilic zeolite was used as the adsorbent, and the lower part of Fig. 6 shows the test results of an example in which hydrophobic zeolite was used as the adsorbent. The PSA test shown in Fig. 6 was conducted in a state in which the adsorbent had undergone appropriate pretreatment, and was conducted in a state in which at least moisture had not been adsorbed onto the adsorbent, making it suitable for confirming initial performance.

[0034] OA in Fig. 6 indicates the average flow rate [L / min] of intake air G1, and is information obtained, for example, from the detection results of flow sensor F1 in Fig. 2. SA in Fig. 6 indicates the average flow rate [L / min] of supply air G2, and is information obtained, for example, from the detection results of flow sensor F3 in Fig. 2. As shown in Figure 6, in both the example and the comparative example, adsorption of CO2 and moisture occurs immediately after the start of operation, and it can be confirmed that low-concentration CO2 (air with a CO2 concentration of 50 ppm or less in Figure 6) can be stably generated.

[0035] FIG. 7 shows the results of a recovery PSA test. The recovery PSA test is conducted in a deteriorated state where moisture is adsorbed, simulating the case where the air purifying device 10 has been left unused for a long period of time. More specifically, the test starts from a state where moisture and CO2 adsorption saturation (breakthrough) is forcibly caused. This recovery PSA test is suitable for confirming performance durability.

[0036] As shown in Figure 7, in this example, it was confirmed that the system was able to return to a state where it could stably generate low-concentration CO2 (air with a CO2 concentration of 50 ppm or less in Figure 7) in about two hours, whereas in the comparative example, it was not able to return to a state where it could generate low-concentration CO2 even after more than half a day (12 hours (720 minutes)) had passed.

[0037] As described above, the air purifying device 10 of this embodiment comprises an adsorption section 31 having an adsorbent that adsorbs carbon dioxide, a pressurizing section 21 that sends air to the adsorption section 31, a discharge section 41 that discharges the air from which carbon dioxide has been removed by the adsorption section 31 to the outside, a decompression section 51 that decompresses the adsorption section 31 to desorb carbon dioxide from the adsorbent, and an ultraviolet irradiation section 61 that irradiates the air with ultraviolet rays upstream of the adsorbent. According to this configuration, by adsorbing carbon dioxide with the adsorbent, it is possible to suppress the adverse effects of carbon dioxide on the human body, such as drowsiness, without requiring ventilation with outside air. Moreover, by irradiating the air with ultraviolet rays upstream of the adsorbent, it is possible to prevent bacteria in the air from affecting the adsorbent, and it is possible to provide an air purifying device that does not require ventilation with outside air or that can reduce the need for ventilation with outside air.

[0038] The adsorbent also contains hydrophobic zeolite, which can adsorb unpleasant odors and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) such as solvents even in the presence of moisture. Moisture adhering to the hydrophobic zeolite is sterilized in advance by ultraviolet light, allowing the material to maintain its high adsorption performance for a long period of time, even in high humidity environments.

[0039] The pressurizing unit 21 has a pressurizing pump PP, and the ultraviolet ray irradiating unit 61 irradiates the air with ultraviolet rays at least either upstream or downstream of the pressurizing pump PP. If the air is irradiated with ultraviolet light downstream of the pressurizing pump PP, the air just before the adsorbent can be sterilized with ultraviolet light, effectively preventing the proliferation of airborne bacteria on the adsorbent, making it easier to maintain the performance of the adsorbent over the long term.

[0040] On the other hand, if ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the air upstream of the pressurizing pump PP, it is possible to prevent bacteria in the air from multiplying both in the pressurizing pump PP and in the adsorbent. Furthermore, if ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the air both upstream and downstream of the pressurizing pump PP, the cumulative amount of ultraviolet light irradiated onto the intake air G1 can be easily increased, effectively preventing airborne bacteria from multiplying on the pressurizing pump PP or the adsorbent or affecting the exhaust air.

[0041] The adsorption unit 31 also includes a plurality of adsorption vessels AT1, AT2 that accommodate adsorbents. The air purification device 10 includes a controller 71 that performs adsorption control, which connects a pressurization unit 21 and a discharge unit 41 to each of the adsorption vessels AT1, AT2 to form an adsorption path for discharging the air from which carbon dioxide has been removed to the outside, and desorption control, which connects a depressurization unit 51 to form a desorption path for desorbing the carbon dioxide adsorbed in the adsorption vessels AT1, AT2. According to this configuration, adsorption and desorption are repeated in each adsorption vessel AT1, AT2, and while desorption is being performed in one adsorption vessel AT1, adsorption is being performed in the other adsorption vessel AT2, so that air from which carbon dioxide has been removed can be continuously discharged to the outside.

[0042] In addition, at least a portion of the air passage of the pressurizing unit 21 is made of a material that transmits ultraviolet light, and the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 61 irradiates the area of ​​the material with ultraviolet light. With this configuration, the air in the passage can be directly sterilized with ultraviolet light, the structure is simple, and it is advantageous for miniaturization.

[0043] Furthermore, the ultraviolet light includes wavelengths in the range of 250 nm to 280 nm. This configuration makes it possible to provide an air purifying device for local use that can sufficiently prevent bacteria in the intake air G1 from affecting the adsorbent, etc.

[0044] The above embodiment is merely an example of one aspect of the present invention, and any modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the shape and structure of each component of the air purification device 10 may be modified as appropriate. For example, the number of adsorption vessels may be three or more. When the number of adsorption vessels is three or more, at least one of the first adsorption vessel AT1 and the second adsorption vessel AT2 may be provided with multiple adsorption vessels in the above control. Furthermore, while the above embodiment illustrates the use of the PVSA method (vacuum pressure swing adsorption), the PSA method (pressure swing adsorption) may also be used. In the PSA method, pressure is fluctuated between high and low pressures, so modifications may be made as necessary, such as replacing the vacuum pump VP with a pressure reduction pump suitable for PSA.

[0045] The above embodiment supports the following configurations.

[0046] (Configuration 1) An air purification device comprising: an adsorption section having an adsorbent material that adsorbs carbon dioxide; a pressurizing section that sends air to the adsorption section; a discharge section that discharges the air from which carbon dioxide has been removed by the adsorption section to the outside; a decompression section that decompresses the adsorption section to desorb carbon dioxide from the adsorbent material; and an ultraviolet irradiation section that irradiates the air with ultraviolet light upstream of the adsorbent material. This configuration makes it possible to provide an air purifying device that prevents bacteria in the air from affecting the adsorbent, and does not require ventilation with outside air, or that can reduce the need for ventilation with outside air.

[0047] (Configuration 2) The air purifying device according to configuration 1, wherein the adsorbent contains hydrophobic zeolite. With this configuration, the hydrophobic zeolite can adsorb unpleasant odors and VOCs such as solvents even in the presence of moisture. Because moisture adhering to the hydrophobic zeolite is sterilized in advance by ultraviolet light, the high adsorption performance can be maintained for a long period of time even in places with high humidity.

[0048] (Configuration 3) The air purifying device according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the pressurizing unit has a pressurizing pump, and the ultraviolet irradiating unit irradiates the air with ultraviolet rays downstream of the pressurizing pump. With this configuration, the air immediately in front of the adsorbent can be sterilized with ultraviolet light, effectively preventing bacteria in the air from multiplying on the adsorbent, making it easier to maintain the performance of the adsorbent over a long period of time.

[0049] (Configuration 4) The air purifying device according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the pressurizing unit has a pressurizing pump, and the ultraviolet irradiating unit irradiates the air with ultraviolet rays upstream of the pressurizing pump. This configuration can prevent the proliferation of bacteria in the air on both the pressurizing pump and the adsorbent.

[0050] (Configuration 5) The air purifying device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the adsorption unit includes a plurality of adsorption vessels that accommodate the adsorbent, and a controller that performs adsorption control to connect the pressurizing unit and the exhaust unit to each adsorption vessel to form an adsorption path for exhausting air from which carbon dioxide has been removed to the outside, and desorption control to connect the depressurizing unit to form a desorption path for desorbing the carbon dioxide adsorbed in the adsorption vessels. According to this configuration, adsorption and desorption are repeated in each adsorption vessel, and while desorption is being performed in one adsorption vessel, adsorption is being performed in another adsorption vessel, so that air from which carbon dioxide has been continuously removed can be discharged to the outside.

[0051] (Configuration 6) An air purifying device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the pressurizing unit has at least a portion of the passage through which the air passes formed of a material that transmits ultraviolet rays, and the ultraviolet irradiation unit irradiates ultraviolet rays onto the area of ​​the material. According to this configuration, the air in the passage can be sterilized directly by ultraviolet light, the structure is simple, and it is advantageous for miniaturization.

[0052] (Configuration 7) The air purifying device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the ultraviolet light has a wavelength within a range of 250 nm to 280 nm. This configuration makes it possible to provide an air purifying device for local use that can sufficiently prevent bacteria in the intake air from affecting the adsorbent or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10 Air Purifier 21 Pressure unit 21g glass tube 31 Adsorption part 41 Discharge section 51 Pressure reducing section 61 UV irradiation unit 71 Controller AT1,AT2 Adsorption container PP pressure pump VP vacuum pump (reducing pump) U User SP1 Local Space G1 intake air G2 supply air G3 Desorbed gas

Claims

1. an adsorption section having an adsorbent that adsorbs carbon dioxide; a pressurizing unit that sends air to the adsorption unit; an exhaust section that exhausts the air from which carbon dioxide has been removed in the adsorption section to the outside; a decompression section that decompresses the adsorption section to desorb carbon dioxide from the adsorbent; an ultraviolet irradiation unit that irradiates the air with ultraviolet rays upstream of the adsorbent; An air purification device comprising:

2. The adsorbent comprises a hydrophobic zeolite The air purifying device according to claim 1 .

3. the pressurizing unit has a pressurizing pump, The ultraviolet ray irradiation unit irradiates the air with ultraviolet rays downstream of the pressurizing pump. The air purifying device according to claim 1 .

4. the pressurizing unit has a pressurizing pump, The ultraviolet ray irradiation unit irradiates the air with ultraviolet rays upstream of the pressurizing pump. The air purifying device according to claim 1 .

5. the adsorption unit includes a plurality of adsorption vessels that accommodate the adsorbent, A controller is provided that performs adsorption control for connecting the pressurizing unit and the exhaust unit to each adsorption vessel to form an adsorption path for exhausting the air from which carbon dioxide has been removed to the outside, and desorption control for connecting the depressurizing unit to form a desorption path for desorbing the carbon dioxide adsorbed in the adsorption vessel. The air purifying device according to claim 1 .

6. At least a part of the passage through which the air passes is formed of a material that transmits ultraviolet light, The ultraviolet irradiation unit irradiates the region of the material with ultraviolet light. The air purifying device according to claim 1 .

7. The ultraviolet light includes wavelengths in the range of 250 nm to 280 nm. The air purifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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